Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for Birmingham Bowl 2022 (Defense Left on Backburner)

Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina Game Info

2022 NCAA College Football Game — TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-3) vs. East Carolina Pirates (7-5)
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022
Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Protective Stadium — Birmingham, AL
Coverage: ESPN

The 2022 NCAA college football bowl game matchups have been revealed, including the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl between the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and East Carolina Pirates

After going 9-1 through the first 10 games, Coastal Carolina has picked up losses in each of its last two outings, most recently losing 45-26 to Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game. Meanwhile, East Carolina recently ended a losing skid at two games with a 49-46 shootout win over Temple on Nov. 26.

Can Coastal Carolina get back on track by ending its campaign with a victory? Or will East Carolina pick up its first bowl win since 2013?

Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina Odds & Spread

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: CCU: (+320) | ECU: (-420)
Spread: CCU: +10.5 (-105) | ECU: -10.5 (-115)
Total: 59.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)

East Carolina enters this contest as a clear favorite on the spread and moneyline. This Birmingham Bowl clash also features a total of 59.5, which is slightly above average compared to this year's bowl games.

Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina Prediction & Pick

Coastal Carolina's latest two losses stem from the fact the defense surrendered 605 total passing yards in defeat. Unfortunately, there isn't a chance for any relief at the Birmingham Bowl as East Carolina has averaged a whopping 287.3 passing yards in 2022 (No. 15), including a 314-yard effort in its last outing.

The Pirates also have an advantage since they at least one their last game, whereas the Chanticleers haven't tasted victory since Nov. 12. With East Carolina also owning the slightly better defense and being used to playing tougher opponents as an AAC program, I see the Pirates being victorious at the end of the month.

Final Score Prediction: East Carolina: 35 | Coastal Carolina: 26

Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina Betting Trends

- Coastal Carolina is 2-6 against the spread (ATS) in its last eight games.
- East Carolina is 4-2 straight up in its last six games.
- The total has hit the over in four of Coastal Carolina's last six games.
- The total has hit the under in four of East Carolina's last seven games.

Coastal Carolina vs East Carolina Best Bet

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are available on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Even though I anticipate that East Carolina will win the Birmingham Bowl, I don't think it'll cover the 10.5-point spread. The Pirates are just 4-5 ATS in their last nine games, failing to cover in their most recent two outings. Furthermore, three of their last four victories this season have been by a field goal or less.

Coastal Carolina isn't a powerhouse, but East Carolina's defense is average enough that the former should still be able to keep things closer than the spread implies.

Bet: Coastal Carolina +10.5 (-105)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.